There’s one more thing!
On 23rd December 2024, Fr David Barnes, a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster, parish priest of St Anselm and St Cecilia, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London went to his eternal reward. On clearing out his belongings, on his desk lay, un-submitted, an application form for the 'Pro Ecclessia et Pontifice' Papal Award for his loyal MC, Michael O’Leary. Michael of course is well known to the Guild having served as President, Vice President and Secretary, and having been otherwise involved in the management of the Guild in Westminster, nationally and internationally for decades.
In the order of papal awards, this award lies between the Benemerenti Medal and the higher awards of the Order of St Sylvester.
The now Parish Priest, Mgr. John Conneely, on finding the application left by his predecessor, agreed with all that the late priest had said, and adding his name in support, sent the application in, in secret, a posthumous final act.
One year on, on the first anniversary of the funeral, 16th January 2026, with the majority of parishioners guaranteed to be in attendance, a Requiem Mass for the late priest was held at his former church. However, the usual rite took an unexpected detour at the end of the homily as the parish priest, to the surprise of those assembled, revealed the events which had taken place and together with the National Director of the Guild, Fr Keith Stoakes, presented Michael with the now approved, Papal Award.
Michael’s sisters, who knew what was to happen, had secretly travelled to London and had been smuggled into the congregation to join the celebration, the Central Council of the Guild was also represented.
The reasons the late priest had listed in support of the award were extensive, but some of the highlights include:
He has been both President and Vice-President for 3 terms and secretary of the Guild, most recent as Honorary President.
He has served for the Guild, the Parish and Westminster Cathedral for over 60 years.
He was a server when the Holy Father, Pope St John-Paul II, visited Wembley.
He serves at every funeral in the parish and is always available to serve and organise Servers on Holy Days and Feast Days - in succession to his father, who was the MC before him.
A very well-deserved award, and an inspiration to us all. The Central Council of the Guild adds its abundant congratulations. ‘Well done good and faithful servant’.
Video and Transcript
Livestream extract of presentation, copyright Archdiocese of Westminster via churchservices.tv
“Oh… there’s one more thing!
Fr David in the weeks before his death had the parish very much in his mind, and he tried put things in place. Sadly, he wasn’t always able to complete them […] and amongst his papers, I found a petition to the Pope, for a parishioner whose service he greatly valued, to be awarded a Papal Medal. Fr David, had written it out, he had signed it, and dated it, but it hadn’t been sent in. I had nothing to add to what had been written, I agreed with everything that Fr David had said, so all I did as parish priest was simply add my name and sent it in. And I’m pleased to say, that Pope Leo has accepted what Fr David said and has granted that medal, AND SO, MICHAEL O’LEARY, if you would like to come forward and if Fr Keith Stoakes would like the assist me...
So, Michael, Fr David, because of your wonderful, outstanding service to the parish, to the diocese, and to the church in England and Wales, requested that you be given a ‘Pro Ecclessia et Pontifice’ medal, ‘the church, the pope’.
Your service, Fr David very much appreciated, the only sadness is that he is not here to present it, but it is my honour on his part to present this medal to you and to thank you, as Pope Leo does, for all your dedicated service, to this parish and to the church, we are very blessed to have you.” [Applause]
Original video credit: https://www.churchservices.tv/lincolnsinnfields/archive/recordings/MiDBcLqA7gHaRh1
